crediblezephyre

joined 11 months ago
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I want to try selling something I've made but my employer may 'own' it in c/entrepreneur@indiehackers.space
[–] crediblezephyre@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

On that last part, that's what I learned in business school (many years ago) that I"m not 100% sure is true but salaried employee's time isn't just 9-5 so my 'own time' might not even qualify here.

I did this on my PC though and haven't used it at work yet (but will need to soon so that's why I'm asking) but that's not something I want to raise because then they'll make me use their equipment and I"m way more efficient on my own system.

I want to try selling something I've made but my employer may 'own' it in c/entrepreneur@indiehackers.space
[–] crediblezephyre@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Decent chance my company doesn't care but if I was going to bring it up, wanted to be sure I knew all my options.

Hearing loud and clear to consult a lawyer/take this seriously. Thank you!

I want to try selling something I've made but my employer may 'own' it in c/entrepreneur@indiehackers.space
[–] crediblezephyre@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Yeah, not trying to oversell what this is. It's not an IP'able tool... but it could make money, money my company would probably prefer to make instead of me. Some of the things I've made in the past too, we've kept to maintain a competitive advantage (I don't know how much it's truly an advantage but that's what we've done)

I want to try selling something I've made but my employer may 'own' it in c/entrepreneur@indiehackers.space
[–] crediblezephyre@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

That's an interesting story! Definitely picking up from the answers to take this seriously though which is what I was looking for. Thank you!

1
I want to try selling something I've made but my employer may 'own' it (alien.top)
 

Over the last few months, I've spent a fair amount of time building a tool that I'm reasonably certain I can sell (nothing novel, don't get too excited) and I would really like to try. I know there is a customer base and I know it's useful... because I built it to use myself. But I also plan to use it at work, that's half the reason I built it. In fact, most of the company templates are just mine that I brought with me when I was hired.

While 90% of the time I spent building it was in the evenings, on my 'own' time... perhaps 10% of it was 'company' time where I had free time and spent it building this tool.

I'm 90% certain that my employee contract states any 'inventions' created are owned by the company, which is pretty standard in my industry. So I have a few questions:

  • Does my employer own this tool? (I know you aren't lawyers, but maybe someone has insight?)
  • What is the risk of selling it anyway? What happens if I sell it and use it at work?
  • How do I find a clear path forward (without hiring a lawyer. This is practically hobby-tier, I don't want to take it that far)

Posting from alt account because I'm paranoid and want to retain anonymity JIC

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